By Zachary Sturgill

Maryland volleyball picked up its first conference win on Wednesday. Tasked with a step up in competition on the road, the Terps looked to build on that momentum as they traveled to East Lansing to take on Michigan State.

Despite both teams’ seasons going in opposite directions, the Terps hung in with the Spartans. Maryland kept it close, but ultimately fell 15-13, to seal its 3-2 loss.  

Ajack Malual started off the first set strong, picking up two early kills to put the Terps up 4-2. However, Michigan State (15-3, 5-3 Big Ten) quickly took control of the game thanks to a 5-0 run, helping them take a 16-10 lead.

From there, Maryland (8-10, 1-7 Big Ten) kept inching back into the game, but could not take the lead from the Spartans. Michigan State closed the set on a dominant 7-1 run, taking it 25-18.

Maryland quickly regained momentum to start off the second set, jumping out to a 13-6 lead. Sydney Bryant and Duru Gökçen lead the way on the Terps’ run, picking up two kills each.

The Terps did not look back from there. They dominated the front of the net, scoring seven blocks to claim the set 25-14. 

The third set started off much more evenly, as the two teams traded back-and-forth early for a 6-6 tie. But once the Spartans took the lead, they never looked back. 

Following the Terps’ block party in the second set, the Spartans adjusted and took advantage of the empty space in the middle of the Terps’ defense. The Spartans held on to their lead and took the third set 25-19.

Set four started as a continuation of set three. Michigan State jumped to an 8-1 lead and looked like it would cruise to a victory. But Maryland responded with a 9-1 run fielded by three Eva Rohrbach blocks to take the lead. 

The runs continued throughout the set, as the two teams traded leads to a 20-20 tie. From there, the Terps controlled the set on a 5-0 run to force a decisive fifth set. 

Set five indicated the game throughout, as neither team could pull away. Michigan State was the first team to pull ahead after a 6-6 tie, fueled by a 7-2 run. 

The start to the fifth set was another back-and-forth one, as the two teams were tied at 6-6 early. 

The Terps made it interesting at the end, going on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to just one, but the Spartans scored two of the next three to take the set 15-13 and clinch its 15th win of the season. 

Maryland will look to bounce back on Thursday as it travels to Los Angeles to take on No. 22 USC.